A desperate young woman, Lucy, enters into a contract marriage with the cold-hearted CEO, Drey Jackson, to save her mother’s life. But as their lives collide, hidden secrets lie around Drey’s family, and a dangerous rivalry emerges to tear them apart. Stuck between love and loyalty, Lucy and Drey must navigate a treacherous path where trust is shattered, and survival becomes their only choice. Will they overcome the darkness, or will the price of love and power destroy them both? ******** “So, a contract marriage,” I said slowly, testing the idea. “What makes you think I would even consider something like that? And with you?” I asked, letting out a little laughter. She leaned in slightly, her lips curving into a small, confident smile. “Because it’s the perfect solution for both of us. You need the public to believe you’re happily married. And I need the money. We both walk away with exactly what we want—no strings attached.” I chuckled, feeling I was on the edge of it. “You’re a bartender. What makes you think you can play the part of a billionaire’s wife?” I chuckled darkly as my breathtaking face twisted into a Mona Lisa. “I can have you fired for this, you know.” She didn’t flinch, but I noticed her sweaty palms. She could lose her only surviving job if I wanted that to happen. It was obvious how desperate she needed money but I couldn’t just agree with her even if it was a good idea. “I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m not some desperate woman trying to snag a rich man,” She suddenly snapped. She was only an inch away from me now, trying to avoid any direct touch. “We don't have to be in love.”
View More~Drey’s Pov~Wait… what?” My brows shot up, my heart thudding in disbelief.“You told him? How the hell did he find out?” I asked, over and over, like the words might change.Lucy shifted nervously, her voice barely a whisper. “It was… that night at dinner. He figured it out right away. But he told me to stay quiet. I—I was scared, Drey.”My chest tightened, I didn't want to believe what I heard. So she and my dad had been watching me fool around all these while? My eyes widened. “So all this time, you've been fooling me? ” My voice rose, sharp and cold. “God, you’re so stupid! Do you even realize what this means? He knows. He knows everything.”“Now, he has you at the tip of his fingers—waiting patiently for you to do something wrong, and then— crush you.”Lucy flinched, blinking multiple times. Her face was laced with guilt in every inch.Abigail just stared, her mouth covered with her palm in disbelief, her face was pale, and it was hard for her to take it all in. Her eyes drifted
~Drey’s Pov~ “Whoever you think you are, you're not!” I snapped, my anger rising above my radar. “I need you in that office right now, Lucy. Don't fucking test me.” My voice was like steel—calm, but dangerous.“It's not my fault I'm out, your—” Lucy replied in a shaky voice. I ended the call before she could finish her statement. I slammed the phone on the desk so hard, it almost broke. Why the hell was I this upset? I wasn’t just pissed—something deeper clawed at me. She was out, without my say. But was it just about control… or the fact that I couldn’t stand the idea of her choosing to be out of my sight?“Why would she go out in PUBLIC!!! Without my permission? Who does she think she is?” I shot at Maxwell, my voice sharp like a razor. “Isn't she supposed to be working?” I turned to Maxwell, eyes blazing. Maxwell was in the office with me but he knew when to keep his mouth shut and when to speak. I stared at the city below through the glass window. I took in deep breaths to
~Lucy’s Pov~ It's been three months since the contract, and I got married to Drey a month later. After the first dinner with his family and my conversation with Julian, I couldn't bring myself to tell Drey that his father already knew it was a fake wedding. Watching him fake being in love with me in front of his dad always makes me uncomfortable. I usually get scared because I'm caught up in the middle. But after the wedding, things became even more difficult. From going to one business meeting to becoming the most talked about couple on social media. We were able to portray a good relationship in public, but behind closed doors, we were total strangers. I remember when I went to a gala with Drey for the first time. It was more complex than I had anticipated, his arms around me throughout the event. Faking up stories about how we met and fell in love. But despite his kind gestures, I could see the emptiness in his eyes. It has been exhausting, I don't have the freedom to go any
Lucy’s POVI was fully dressed in a gorgeous blue dress, which sparkled in the dark. I took a moment to admire the matching diamond earrings and necklace which was on me. I let out a little gasp. “Wow, this is beautiful.”Everything was perfect, I couldn't help but admire the dress even more.But then reality struck—this was all temporary. What would happen to me if I couldn't play my role well?A knock at the door helped me escape my thoughts. “Miss Lucy, the car is ready.” It was Maxwell. He peeked in. I swallowed hard. “Right. I'll be out in ten,”I had light makeup on and my hair curled into soft waves.I tried my best to look the part. *********The ride to the Jacksons’ Mansion was quiet which made the thoughts in my head, loud. Maxwell was seated beside me and the driver was in front. I felt Maxwell’s gaze on me. He could see through my anxiety. He broke the silence. “Hey, I know this is a lot but remember why you're here, okay?,” he said, finally. I gazed at him shortly.
~Lucy’s Pov~ “You’re not joking, right? You do realize how important this is, right?” Drey’s voice sent a cold shiver down my spine. “You want to pose as a Billionaire's wife and you can't even keep track of a single file? Do you know how this looks for you?” My heart pounded like I was in a race. I could hear it in my ears. I scratched the side of my dress, refusing to let him see me panic. “I understand how this looks, but I'll fix it.”“James, can you please take her home?” He instructed his secretary. I froze.Mr Williams and James stared at me like a child who had lost a very important piece of jewelry. I knew I made a mistake but I wondered how. James cleared his throat and began. “Sir, perhaps she forgot it when she was preparing to come. Can we arrange for Miss Lucy to retrieve the document within an hour?” “And…sir I'm sorry but you've been calling me James for days now. It's Maxwell. I know this is stressing you out and your friend not being here to help must be frustra
~Lucy’s Pov~~Next morning~ The sounds of the alarm woke me from my deep sleep. I was reluctant to get out of bed to stop the alarm. My eyelids knew I didn't want to get up just yet. My body felt so heavy to lift off the bed but I managed to stop the alarm on my phone. Looking through my room I realized the mess I made yesterday night. I couldn't even remember what I was searching for. My eyes flashed to the envelope my best friend, Maya mailed. It contained 6 notes of 50-dollar bills. I was beyond grateful to her. This would cover for the week and even more. But then I remembered the confession I made to her. She was the only one I could trust with that information. But what now? I signed the papers already, I couldn't let my mom die because of my ego or desire for love before marriage. It was just for a year, I can do it. I picked up the contract file and glanced through it again, “Lucy, I hope you're making the right decision, Just a year…., but what if I lose myself in it?…
~Maya’s Pov~I tried calling Lucy back but the call was not connecting. I was still stunned by the conversation I just had with Lucy.“Grant Pharmaceuticals? No no, I hope I heard her wrong. Why the hell will she do such a thing without contacting me?” I murmured. A mix of disappointment and hurt hovered over me. Desperation has led my best friend to such a ruthless man. I don't know him personally but I know of the damage his company has caused over the years. It wasn't news of the scandals related to that Pharmaceutical Company. I dialed her number several times, frustration mounting as the call failed over and over again. “I need to reach her. I need to warn her on time.” *******One year agoI walked through the corridor of the ICU department heading to visit Lucy’s mom, Regina. Lucy was ahead of me, her face full of exhaustion. We entered the room and headed toward Regina's bed. The faint sound of machines humming welcomed me, the door swinging behind with a soft creak. I app
~Maya’s Pov~I pushed the door to my office open, and the smell of processed papers and coffee filled the room. It's always a chaotic day at the firm but I always get excited to open new cases.“Good day everyone,” I greeted my colleagues with a soft voice. Few of them responded but I did not care. “Morning Miss Sinclair!” Jason calls out from his desk with a smile on his face. His desk was filled with case files and sticky notes, he always strives in chaos. “I’ve always told you to stop calling me that, just Maya is fine,” I replied with a little smile, heading over to my desk. “I see you have a lot on your desk today, as always.” I let out a smirk. “What's new today?” I asked while dragging a chair closer to him. “Well here is something juicy, your specialty.” Jason searches through the files in front of him, giving me a crooked smile.“Hmmm, what is it?” I asked with enthusiasm. He hands over a file to me. “Here is the rundown. We've got a client looking to sue a construction
~ Lucy’s pov~ I stood at the door struggling to get my keys from my bag. The tingling sound of the keys gave me a quick ease-up. As I turned the keys to get into my apartment, someone called out my name. “Lucy Thank God I found you today, I’ve been waiting for your arrival.” An older woman muttered as she approached me. “Good day….I mean….Good evening ma’am. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting all these while.” I stuttered to reply to her. “ But ma’am I just got back from work now and I’m really tired. Maybe another time, please. “ I replied to her. “No No Lucy you know why I’m here. In case you didn't hear what I said, let me requote.. eh…ehm!” She cleared her throat to continue. “I heard you for the first time ma’am and I know why you’re here. But I’m sorry ma’am I have to go in now.“ I opened my door immediately and slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through my apartment. I leaned against the door for a moment, exhaling sharply. “Urgh I’m so sick of this woman, ca
~Lucy’s Pov~I’ve always hated the sound of machines continuously beeping. But since then my mother got ill I’ve gotten quite used to it. I walked into the intensive care where she laid connected to tubes and machines that hummed steadily."Mom," I called out, my voice shaking. ”I’m here now. Please open your eyes. I should have been earlier, I'm sorry.” Tears began to fall freely down my face.Just then, Dr. Holmes entered, followed by a nurse holding a writing board in her left hand. “Miss Lucy,” he called out, his tone low showing concern in it.From that moment I knew he did not bring good news. I bowed my head looking at my mom because looking at him would make me feel worse.“This is a very difficult thing to say but we have no choice but to discuss it. He continued.I turned to him, my heart was racing. "What’s going on? I thought you said she was getting better?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, trying so hard to suppress my tears but it was not working. "I’m afraid ...
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